In 1776, a committee of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson suggested the United States adopt "E pluribus unum" -- "Out of many, one" -- as the motto for its Great Seal.

In 1821, Missouri entered the United States as the 24th state and the first entirely west of the Mississippi River.

In 1977, 24-year-old postal employee David Berkowitz was arrested and charged with being the "Son of Sam," the serial killer who terrorized New York City for more than a year, killing six young people and wounding seven others.

In 1984, Nevada's chief U.S. district judge, Harry Claiborne, was convicted on tax evasion charges. It was the first conviction of a sitting federal judge.

In 1990, District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was convicted on one misdemeanor cocaine possession charge and acquitted on another. The jury deadlocked on the 12 other counts and a mistrial was declared.

In 1991, China agreed in principle to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the U.S. Supreme Court's 107th justice and second female member.

In 2001, about 250 people were killed in a train wreck in Albania, caused by a mine set on the tracks by rebels.

In 2003, more than 80 prisoners tunneled their way out of Brazil's Joao Pessoa prison, one of the nation's top security facilities.

In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush signed a 6-year, $286.4 billion transportation bill to build highways, bridges and other public works. The measure contained a reported $24 billion in "pork barrel" projects.

In 2006, Britain and the United States strengthened security after foiling an alleged plot to use liquid explosives to blow up airplanes flying between the two countries. Police said as many as 10 aircraft had been targeted. U.S. officials banned the transportation of liquids and gel in carry-on luggage.

In 2007, the U.S. Federal Reserve put a reported $72 billion into the American financial system over two days to steady the volatile markets that fell in response to losses in the U.S. mortgage market.

In 2008, though Russia said it didn't plan to invade Georgia, its troops entered Georgia territory and took control briefly of a military base. The independence battle over South Ossetia appeared to be escalating despite talks of a cease-fire. Hostilities claimed an unofficial toll of about 1,500 people with many thousands more chased from their homes.

Also in 2008, soul music icon Isaac Hayes, an Oscar- and Grammy-winning singer, composer and producer, died at his home in Shelby County, Tenn. He was 65.

And, at least 31 miners working in an allegedly illegal gold mine were killed in a landslide in the West African state of Burkina Faso.

In 2009, two truck bombs in Baghdad exploded simultaneously killing at least 45 people, injuring hundreds of others and destroying a village near Mosul in northern Iraq.

Also in 2009, a dormitory was burned and 55 inmates hospitalized in a riot involving Latino and black inmates of a prison in Chino, Calif., authorities said.

In 2010, former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, a six-term Republican from Alaska, was killed with four others in the crash of a small plane in a remote area of his home state. He was 86.

Also in 2010, the U.S. Federal Reserve said it planned to try to boost the American economy by buying a portion of the government's long-term debt, a move the Fed says aimed to lower interest rates and stimulate borrowing.

In 2011, in the most volatile week in the history of the Dow Jones industrial average, U.S. stocks took a second big fall in three days as the Dow lost nearly 520 points, more than wiping out the 429 points regained the previous day. It had started the week with a 634-point dive after downgrading of the nation's credit rating.

A thought for the day: Leonard Nimoy, as Mr. Spock in the space drama "Star Trek," said to a captured enemy commander, "Military secrets are the most fleeting of all."

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.